March Paris Letter - Alexandra Sojfer - Fragonard

I thought March would be typically rainy in Paris and planned on doing umbrella sketches for you.
 

Instead it's been so sunny parasols seemed a better idea,
 

Voila ! Here's why I've been so quiet this past week at PB HQ....

I discovered an extraordinary umbrella shop at 218 bd Saint Germain.

You will time travel when you walk through the door...

Of Alexandra Sojfer.The shop first was opened by Madame Madeleine Gély in 1834

Fifteen years ago Alexandra took it over and made it into a glorious emporium of special umbrellas, parasols, canes and unique jewelry designed by herself.

Every piece is made-to-order and made in France. Prices start at 119 euros.

The shop will repair any of it's umbrellas at any time in the future.

Most of their customers live outside France. A dreamy shop with exquisite items.

I asked Alexandra if these parasols were specifically for weddings?

"Oh no", she told me "these work perfectly with jeans and a T-shirt". Ok!

The French have adored umbrellas from way back though we have to thank the Chinese for inventing them.

Manet, Monet, all the Impressionists were very fond of adding an umbrella or two into a scene.

The new Watteau to Fragonard exhibit at the Jacquemart-André musée just opened.

Quite a few parasols hither and thither add for a touch of color and shadow.

The word umbrella or ombre means shadow or shade.

The museum is open late on Mondays and Saturdays till 8:30 pm. By then the crowds have despursed and you'll have it more or less to yourself - a delight.

The gift shop at Jacque-mart is usually themed to its current exhibit.

I couldn't resist these fancy-pants printed tissues(1,50€ each) a la Fragonard.

Down the street florist Savanhi has umbrella-shaped arrangements..

But I couldn't find any umbrella-shaped pastries. Le Bonbon au Palais does have nifty little umbrellas with a cone of chocolate inside. Georges gave me a few to shoot but I ate them instead.

*By the way I have new fancy-pants Paris map envelopes for all gift subscriptions on Etsy. The March letter will start going out tomorrow so you can go on MAILBOX ALERTE dear PBers!